May 18th, 2009

      I was asked to write this a couple of weeks ago and wasn’t sure what to write, well type about.  Being the first installment of The Truth, I wanted it to be impactful and special. I wanted it to be something that everyone was going to find interesting and enjoy. I had several ideas, a review on The Wrestler starring Mickey Rourke, the hypocrisy of a Christian writer I know with the holier than though attitude, whom is now posing half naked in a calendar (which don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a woman posing and showing off her body. In fact that is something I personally enjoy, what got to me was a holier than though bitch preaching that it is wrong and then turning around and doing it.) Then I thought about discussing wrestling, the behind the scenes backstabbing bull shit, the lack of respect from the younger guys, and the list goes on. I had a million ideas running through my mind. None of which I am using. The idea that I thought would be the most impactful and possibly the most important topic that I will ever talk about is pure appreciation and gratitude. Appreciation to all the people that have helped me become who I am today; appreciation to all the people that make me laugh, smile, and some times cry. This, my fellow serpents, is a going to be a thank you note to everyone; so set back and enjoy. With the exception of the fans I am going to put this list in chronological order, or as close to it as I possibly can.
         
      First and foremost are the fans, if it weren’t for the fans there would be no Snakeman Deven Michaels, hell with out the fans there would be no wrestling at all. The fans truly are the most special and important part of wrestling. You, the fans, are the reason why I do what I do.  I love hearing your cheers and talking to you. You are the most important thing in the world to me. I don’t think I could ever express how much the fans mean to me. You are the reason I have wrestled as long as I have. Because of the love and support from the fans I will always be proud to be a wrestler.
         
      When I was a young boy in grade school I was hooked on wrestling.  I never got to watch it much because I didn’t have a television. What little bit I did get to see was enough to hook me for life though. I would wear WWF hats and shirts to school and tell everyone that when I grew up I was going to be a pro-wrestler. It was all I talked about. Damn it, even then I was in love with lady wrestling. Not many people shared my love of wrestling, or if they did they weren’t admitting it. Either way, I did love her and I was proud to tell the world. Most of the kids I grew up with thought I was crazy and made fun of me for my love of lady wrestling. There were even a few teachers that told me it was a pipe dream and that it would never happen. All the people in my life that told me that it was a crazy idea and I would never be able to be a wrestler gave me the drive and motivation to prove them all wrong. I want to say thank you for that. Of course I also want to say FUCK YOU I did it. I may not be working for WWE or TNA, yet, but none the less FUCK YOU I did it.
         
      Years later, I was driving down the road and a radio advertisement caught my attention. The APWF was bringing none other than Jake “The Snake” Roberts to Dubois, PA for an autograph signing. I started thinking about all the years that I had wanted to be a pro-wrestler. I thought to myself, hell this is one of my childhood heroes I should tell him what I want to do and ask him to help me. Then I decided it was probably a bad idea. After all this was Jake Roberts and I was just some snot nosed 18 year old punk, why would he help me. A few days after hearing the ad and trying to talk myself into talking to Jake I decided I need a second opinion. I went for a long walk with a very dear friend of mine, Jamie. She and I talked about it for about an hour while walking hand in hand through the woods. Jamie was the first to encourage me to go for it. It was her that talked me into it. I was trying to talk my way out of it. Finally out of sheer frustration she smiled at me and asked a very simple question, “Do you want to be 50 years old on our back porch and think to yourself, I had the chance and never took it?” 
         
      It was at the point I realized she was right. I had to talk to Jake. I can not ever express how much that single question has affected my life. Jamie I want to thank you for being the first to push me and encourage me to reach for the stars. Because of that one little question, I will never have any regrets in my life. It was the summer of 2000 and damn it I went for it!!!! I walked up to Jake and told him what I wanted and I wanted him to help me get it. To my surprise he gave me a phone number and said call me when you get to Texas. The day I met Jake is a day that changed my life forever. Jake, words can never explain how much I love you and appreciate everything that you have done. You truly took me under your wing and turned me into the person that you knew I could be. You are the creator of The Snakeman Deven Michaels. There have been two other instances in my life that Jake has changed everything. One upon which I am not ready to discuss with the world; however, when I am ready to talk about it I will do it here in a surprise filled Truth. The second time was in a town called Alliance, OH.   
         
      Teacher vs. Student that night, Jake announced to the world that I was the next generation snake. He passed the proverbial torch and then we got it on. Snake vs. Snake, that match was a history making match!!!! I became the first man in wrestling history to DDT Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Jake, thank you!!!!! Needless to say being 18 years old I needed help getting to Texas.  That is where my parents come in. I know that I have talked about my childhood in interviews and it certainly was not painted in a very flattering light. Putting all of that aside, with the help that my mother and father have given me since turning 18 they have more than made up for any mistakes with all the help they have given me. After digging one helluva hole in solid stone my father gave me the majority of the money I needed to get to Texas. My mother raised as much money as she could to help with the trip and my mother helps watch my daughter while I am on the road. Both of my parents help me more than enough and I could never repay them for the help that they have given me.
      
      
          There came a time when Jamie was no longer a part of my life. Well, the truth of the matter is I fucked up and pushed her out of my life.  Needless to say, still being young I didn’t want to accept responsibility for Jamie being gone, so I blamed it on wrestling for the longest time. During the time when I despised wrestling, I met Bridget. She is the one that is responsible for me getting back into wrestling. All I ever talked about was wrestling and how much I missed the life style that went along with wrestling. Without Bridget I may have never gotten back into wrestling and just went through life miserable not doing what I loved to do. I told Bridget that I had talked to Dr. Feelgood a local pro-wrestler. I told her that we had talked about working out and me re-training since I had been away from the business for about a year or so. Personally I was afraid to go through with it. I knew the horror stories that Jake had told me and I knew the ones that I had personally experienced all to well.
         
      After many long nights and conversations, Bridget and I decided that getting back to what I loved was exactly what I needed to do. Bridget, thank you for everything you did and continue to do. You have helped and supported me whenever I needed and there have been times where you have went above and beyond expectations. You are a wonderful woman and thank you for being there. After the many conversations I went and met with Dr. Feelgood and began my second round of training. Jake had focused on the psychology of wrestling, putting together a match, working the crowd, selling the moves, cutting promos, and basic wrestling moves and holds. Dr. Feelgood focused on the technical side of wrestling. He showed me more technical moves and helped me get into shape. Dr. Feelgood also took me to all the shows that he was working and got me booked on a lot of shows in Michigan and a few other places. Dr. Feelgood, I just basically want to thank you for showing me the ropes and helping me get bookings. You taught me a lot and for that I am very thankful. 
         
      While wrestling and being on the road you meet lots of fans. It is hard to remember them all, I try to do just that, but sometimes it is just too damn hard to remember each and every fan. That being said, there is one fan that I can and will never forget. The ironic thing is that my favorite and biggest fan is right beside me as I type this. This fan loves me and loves knowing that I am a pro-wrestler. This one particular fan gives me more drive and motivation than any other fan ever has. By now I am sure you are wondering who this fan is. Well I will tell you, Jezabel thank you for being Daddy’s biggest fan. I know I’m not home with you as much as what we would like, but you are always in my heart and in my thoughts. You make me happier than all other people combined. Someday when Daddy is standing in the middle of a WWE or TNA ring all the sacrifices will be worth it. I love you baby doll!!!!
         
      During my travels I met another wonderful young lady at an autograph signing in WV. Danielle has done an excellent job coming to shows to help me. She takes all the pictures and videos you will find of me on my myspace and on here. You can usually find her with a welcoming smile setting behind my gimmick table at most of the shows I am working. Not only does she do a wonderful job maintaining my myspace and website she has also helped me to overcome the drinking problem that I had for almost a decade. When life on the road gets tough she is always there to be supportive and give me a shoulder to cry on when I need it. Thank you for everything that you do. You also go above and beyond expectations. Thank you!!!!!  You definitely help me stay focused on the prize. I would be lost with out your help.
      
      I would also like to thank the promoters that have given me a chance to entertain the fans. I can't sit here and type out everyone's name so this is just a big thank you to you all. You all take a chance every time you hire someone to come in and represent your company. I always do my best to represent your company with professionalism and enthusiasm. I have worked for so many great companies since beginning this life. I feel truly honored to be on your rosters. Thanks again to all of you for taking a chance on a snake!
         
      That brings me back to where I started, to you the fans. I am extremely thankful for each and every one of you. I love all of you!!!! It is with great pride and honor that I entertain you. I am thankful for every night that I get the privilege of wrestling and entertaining you. I can never express or say enough how important you that fans are to me. I love you all!!!!! I hope you enjoyed the first installment of ‘The Truth as the Snake Sees It.’ There will be a new installment once a week. I wish you all well, take care of yourselves and stay tuned. Until next time watch where you step, you never know where the snake will be next!!!!!

    Sincerely,
             The Snakeman Deven Michaels